American Desi

I agree with the first poster that this is a good movie but don't think you need to have any particular background to enjoy it. I'm sure there were a number of inside jokes that were over my head (in a number of cases I knew while I was watching that it was something I just didn't have a reference for) but that didn't take away much from the experience for me. I enjoyed this as a romantic comedy and I thought it was a good treatment of the different ways a group of young people struggled with identity, cultural heritage, and social mores handed down from family. I thought the filmmakers did a nice job of creating a story that is accessible for all (and maybe particularly funny for those who can relate on a personal level).

First I came across Green Card Fever, then I thought to check out another title with Purva Bedi (Nina) and was not disappointed of American Desi. The movie has a very simple storyline and simple acting, but it brings honesty to the film. Although there are much better adaptations on immigrant life (East is East, Bend It Like Beckham), it made me easy to imagine how it is for someone who originates in a different culture and has to find his/her way of doing things, especially when second generation immigrant. I haven't seen any Indian movies, but I think the dancing/music parts, the costumes, and the tale like love story are a touch of Bollywood. The whole 1.5 hours is full of fun and smile, but funniest to me were the roommates of Krishna, who's character were shaped excellent. So, all in all, if you keep on watching after the first 20 minutes, this is a nice light DVD for a Sunday afternoon, gets 6/10. There's just one question left: what is 'Desi'?

Romantic comedy enjoyable for anyone, not just "Desi"s. Very good acting, even if the actors themselves seem older than college students. Really enjoyed the juxtaposition of cultures and the issues raised by the various predicaments the characters encountered.

Stereotypical in parts. Don't tell me a Sikh would dress like that on campus! Also what's with the last name Reddy (south Indian) and speaking Hindi with a northern accent at home? It should have been something like Singh or Kapoor. Little things like this mess up the story's authenticity. Someone should have caught that. The other contrived scene was the crooked Indian shopkeeper - I know they lack in good service, but not that bad! Unless they were calling attention by way of a parody. Overall it was a fun movie. Good job by the director/actors.

As an American Indian in New York I could relate to the title character's confusion about his Indianness. At the same time I sympathised with him about the religious mumbo-jumbo thrust upon young Indians. A romantic story at heart, this movie skewers various stereotypes about the Indian community. A tremendously enjoyable film, specially if you understand the setting of an ABCD.